Forever Knight: Thornton Brothers Time Travel (A Thornton Brothers Time Travel Romance Book 2) (4 page)

The healer attended him without looking at Robert. “He has a fever. So he may live or he may not. Only the fates know.” She stood and stretched. “Janet will tend him. I have left her with herbs, told her what to do. I have done all I can. The rest is up to him.”

Robert gave her a few coins. They disappeared into the pouch at her waist. Her hair was silver, as were her eyes, yet her face was unlined.
 

“I know who he is. Do not fear, my lord.” She saw something in his face and patted his arm. “He saved your life, therefore I will keep him secret.”

“I thank you. No one can know he is here.” He walked her to the door, pausing. “We have no healer at Highworth. Would you consider coming to the castle?”

She thought for a moment. “I have my cottage in the woods, but I fear ’tis no longer safe. For I have seen a great war coming, a war that will last a hundred years.” She stared off into the distance for so long that Robert wondered if she was going to say anything else. “Are you not afraid of me?”

“I care not if you are witch or healer.” Then he chuckled. “The men think you can turn them into animals.”

The woman merely blinked at him. “Yes, I will be your healer.”

He inclined his head to her. “I will send men to escort you home. They will wait while you pack and bring you back here.” He let out a breath. “With Connor here, ’tis not safe for any of us. If you prefer to wait until he is gone…”

“Nay, Robert Thornton. There will be interesting doings here at Highworth. I would not miss them.”

“You are under my protection, such as it may be, Mistress Adeline.” Watching her go, Robert thought about her words. There was always a war. What difference did it make if it was a year or a hundred years? He no longer cared. And if things got any more interesting, he’d take to his bed with a cask and not come forth until spring.

Janet tried to force the healer’s brew down Connor’s throat. He knocked the cup away and mumbled in his sleep. The young girl looked ready to weep.

“I will hold him down whilst you make him drink.” Robert caught a whiff of the brew and wrinkled his nose. “Smells foul.”

The young girl pointed to Connor’s mouth.
 

“Aye. He’ll drink.” Robert took hold of the Scot’s shoulders, holding him firm while the girl tilted his head up, pouring the brew down his throat. Robert pinched Connor’s nose closed, forcing him to swallow.

After dinner, a messenger appeared in the hall with a missive from Robert’s brother, Edward.

“Show him to the kitchens and see that he is fed.” A servant led the messenger away. Robert would compose a reply and send the man back with it in the morn.

Rabbie trailed along behind him. “What does it say? Are your brothers coming to visit? I should like to see John.”

“You have an unhealthy curiosity for a lad.” Robert made his way to his solar, the boy on his heels. As he entered, Robert turned. “You might as well come in or you’ll plague me the rest of the day, won’t you?”

Rabbie’s face brightened. “Aye, my lord.”

Robert read through the letter. He scratched out a reply informing Edward he had friends arriving who would remain for a sen’night. Then Robert told him he needs repair his hall and one of the chambers, so he had no time to see to his brothers, nor did he wish them to eat through his meager larder. Would it be enough to keep them away?

He added a line saying he would make the journey once the repairs were done. Avail himself of Edward’s hospitality. Visit each brother and enjoy their fine wenches. Once Connor was gone, it would be safe for his family to visit, but not until then.

It was bad enough his friends were arriving. He could not send them back at this late notice; there would be too many questions. Suspicions raised. One of the men arriving, Lord Radford, spent a great deal of time at court and was a terrible gossip. ’Twas all Robert needed. He knew the risk was great, but he saw no other way.

The boy fidgeted, wandering around the room. Robert sealed the letter with his ring and handed it to the boy. “Take this to the messenger.”

The boy’s face fell and Robert suppressed a chuckle. “Nay, they are not coming to visit until the repairs are complete. We have other guests, remember?”

The boy grimaced, “One of them lords was sniffing around Joan.”

Robert arched a brow, waiting.

“Joan works in the laundry. I’m going to marry her in a few years.”

Everyone was interested in getting married. Everyone but Robert.

The next two weeks passed in a blur as Elizabeth worked overtime to finish up odds and ends and train her replacement at work. Before she knew it, she was packed and driving Lulabell and the camper to Darla’s horse farm. Sunshine would be there as well. So her last few days in the States would be spent with her best friends.
 

Darla’s husband already had the horses saddled when Elizabeth woke the next morning. After a big breakfast, the three of them headed out for a morning ride. The smell of hot chocolate filled the wintry air. Elizabeth’s horse was chestnut brown with a white spot on his forehead that looked like a heart. The trio was bundled up against the cold, a riot of color against the snowy backdrop.
 

“I love riding through the snow. Everything’s so quiet and clean.” Sunshine was wearing a bright orange faux-fur coat with a purple scarf and red gloves. Oh, and her boots were bright yellow. She looked like a rogue cartoon character.

“I hope I get a chance to go riding in England. I can’t thank you enough for teaching me how to ride.” Elizabeth thought her hair was color enough, and had dressed in all black.

Darla patted the white horse. The animal blended into the landscape, making it look like she was floating on air. “Thank David. I didn’t even know I liked horses until I married him.” She shifted in the saddle to look at both of them as she grinned. “When are the two of you going to settle down and get married? I can’t be the only one. Thought we were the three musketeers.”

Sunshine frowned. “But how did you choose? There are so many wonderful men out there waiting for us.”
 

“Your problem is you love all men.” Darla brushed a clump of snow off her shoulder as Elizabeth laughed.

“Yeah, Sunshine. All shapes and sizes. Every hair color; it doesn’t matter. As long as they make you laugh, you love them.”

“Give me more choices.” Sunshine grinned. “Think about staying in England for good. Then when I’ve dated every eligible guy in the U.S., I’ll come for a visit and work my way through England.”

“And Scotland.” Darla giggled. “Talk about fantastic accents.”

Elizabeth turned in the saddle to look at her friends. “Why stop there? After the United Kingdom, how about Australia and New Zealand?”

“All of Europe, while you’re at it.”

Sunshine stuck her tongue out. “Funny. Very funny, you two.”

It was midmorning when Darla slowed her horse. “Let’s stop here. There’s something I want to show you both.”

They tied the horses to a nearby tree. The path was well traveled: various animal tracks crisscrossed back and forth, making it look like an animal rush hour. Darla led them through the trees into a small clearing.

Elizabeth let the sun warm her face. “How perfect. It’s like someone ripped a page out of a fairytale and brought the scene to life.” The pond was completely iced over except for one end, where a tiny waterfall kept the water flowing. The surrounding branches and shrubbery were encased in ice, turning the entire tableau into a winter wonderland. As the three of them soaked in the beauty of the spot, a family of bunnies hopped by, their brown coats contrasting with the snow. There was a flat rock, clear of snow from the sun. They stretched out, drinking hot chocolate, and Elizabeth knew she’d never forget the magical morning.

The rest of the time passed quickly, and before she knew it, she was behind the wheel of Lulabell, on her way to the airport.

“Are you sure you want me to drive your baby while you’re gone?” Sunshine stretched in the passenger seat, huge rhinestone-encrusted sunglasses obscuring half her face.

“I’m sure. It’s good for her to be driven at least once a week, and since I don’t know how long I’ll be gone, I’d really appreciate it.”

“You’re not booking a return ticket?” Sunshine looked interested. “Are you turning into your parents? Going to start posting pictures from exotic locales? Calling once in a while and making us traipse across the world to visit?”

Elizabeth laughed. “I don’t know about all that, just thought I’d take some time. Decompress and figure out what comes next.”

Sunshine pushed her sunglasses down her nose to peer at Elizabeth. “Then again, maybe you should put that boundless energy into finding Mr. Right. You’ve had a rough patch after Dennis. I swear he made an art of forgetting his wallet. It’s time you met a guy that sees the goodness in you. One that can take care of you for a change.” She brightened and waggled her eyebrows. “Maybe he’ll be a lawyer, come to bail you out after a protest, and you’ll fall madly in love surrounded by bars and puke-green walls.”

“Ha ha, very funny.” Elizabeth unloaded the bag and backpack and turned to hug her friend. Sunshine’s blond hair blew in the wind, causing several double takes from various men entering the terminal.

“Are you sure there isn’t anything else you need? Got everything on your list?”

“For someone named Sunshine, you worry an awful lot. I’ll be fine, and if I need anything I can always go shopping. It’s not like I’m going somewhere where they don’t have stores.”

“Or Wi-Fi.”
 

They laughed.

“I’ll miss you. Don’t forget to let me know when you decide you’ve had enough of England and you’re ready to come back.”
 

“You know I will. I’m thinking maybe a month or so. I’ll text you when I know my plans.”

Elizabeth made her way into the terminal, excitement rising. Even the horribly long lines to pass through security didn’t bother her. A real castle, and it was all hers for an
entire week
. Could things get any better?

The sound of passengers moving about woke Elizabeth. Yawning, she stretched, careful not to hit the man beside her.

“I can’t believe it. You slept the entire trip. How do you do it?” He looked annoyed she’d been able to sleep.

“Ever since I was little I’ve been able to sleep anywhere. Planes, trains, cars. It doesn’t matter. I close my eyes and I’m out. Makes flying more bearable.”

“I can’t even sleep like that when I take a sleeping pill. You here for work?” The man’s accent made her want to listen to him all day. He had been in the States for business, working for a large pharmaceutical company. When he complained Americans couldn’t make a good cup of tea to save their lives, she’d refrained from complaining about leaving behind her beloved Lucky Charms cereal. You had to adapt to the place, embrace the culture, so goodbye favorite childhood cereal. Maybe she’d become a fan of beans for breakfast.

She told him about her work and how she was taking some time off. “So that’s how I won a week at a castle. I’m so excited. I’ve never stayed in a castle before.”

“Where?”

They chatted while collecting their things, waiting for their turn to disembark. Other passengers grumbled at what was taking so long, impatient to get on with their day.

“Highworth. It’s near Sutton.”

The man made a face. “I know it. My wife likes the place, but to me it rather looks like someone got a little carried away with the icing.”

“I know, right? But I have to admit, it’s kind of charming in its overdone way. I can’t wait to see the inside.”

As they made their way into the terminal, he handed her an umbrella. “Always carry a spare. Enjoy your trip.”

“Thank you. Now I don’t have to buy one.” The terminal was well marked, and she quickly cleared customs then found her way outside, where she met the driver. The sponsors of the contest had offered her the car and driver a day early, which she thought was really nice of them. The guy stood there in a uniform, holding a sign with her name on it.

“I’m Elizabeth Smith.”

The man took her bags and opened the door of the dark sedan for her. “Where to, miss?”